Systems and methods for separating radium from lead, bismuth, and thorium

Abstract

Methods for separating Ra from Pb, Bi, and Th are provided, the methods can include: providing a first mixture comprising Ra, Pb, Bi, and/or Th; providing a system that can include: a first vessel housing a first media; a second vessel in fluid communication with the first vessel, the second vessel housing a second media; and a third vessel in fluid communication with the second vessel, the third vessel housing a third media; and exposing the first mixture to the first media within the first vessel then, through the fluid communication, exposing the first remainder to the second media in the second vessel, then, through fluid communication, exposing the next remainder to the third media in the third vessel, the exposing separating the Th and Bi from the Ra and Pb, and the Ra from the Pb. Methods for separating Ra from being associated with a media are also provided. The methods can include: exposing the Ra and media to a chelating agent to form a mixture comprising the Ra complexed with the chelating agent.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for separating Ra from Pb, Bi, and Th, the method comprising:
 providing a first mixture comprising Ra, Pb, Bi, and Th; 
 providing a system comprising:
 a first vessel housing a first media; and 
 a second vessel in fluid communication with the first vessel, the second vessel housing a second media; 
 
 exposing the first mixture to the first media within the first vessel to separate the Th and Bi from the Ra and Pb and form a second mixture comprising the Ra and Pb; then, through the fluid communication, exposing the second mixture to the second media in the second vessel to associate the Pb with the second media and form a third mixture comprising the Ra. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein the Th and Bi are associated with the first media in the first vessel. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2  further comprising exposing the first media and Th and Bi to a strong HCl solution to elute the Th and Bi from the first media. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 2  further comprising drying down the eluant of Th and Bi for storage and/or reuse. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1  further comprising exposing the third mixture to a third media to associate the Ra of the third mixture with the third media. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5  further comprising exposing the third media associated with the Ra to a chelating solution to remove the Ra.